Labor and Birth

By now, you probably have your baby’s name picked out—or at least narrowed down to a select few—and the little outfit he or she will go home in. No doubt you’ve been eagerly and anxiously waiting for this moment: it’s delivery day!

Before you head to the hospital, make sure you have your overnight bag, your birth plan and a pediatrician to notify when your baby is born.

How will I know if I’m in labor?

When you’re given a due date, it’s only an estimate; no one knows exactly when your baby will come. However, there are some telltale signs for when you’re in labor and when you should head to the hospital:

Bloody show – A small amount of mucus, slightly mixed with blood, may be expelled from the vagina.

Contractions – Contractions, or uterine muscle tightening, that occur less than 10 minutes apart are usually a sign that labor has begun. They’ll become more frequent and severe as labor progresses.

Rupture of the amniotic sac – Labor sometimes begins when your “water breaks,” or when amniotic fluid gushes or leaks from the vagina. If this happens, go to the hospital immediately and contact your doctor or midwife.

What can I expect during birth?

Delivery can happen either vaginally or by cesarean section (C-section). No matter which way your baby comes into the world, your care team will keep an eye on your vital signs and your baby’s heart rate to head off any complications and support you both on a very special birthday!

Where you need to go depends on your individual situation, your chosen hospital's policy and the time of day you go into labor!

In some cases, you'll come through the main hospital entrance and the staff at the front desk will direct you to the labor and delivery ward. This may be the case day or night. In other cases, you might arrive after hours and you'll enter through the emergency room at some of our facilities. From there staff will direct you to, or transported you to, where you need to go.